Connect with us

Published

on

The home secretary has said anyone vandalising the Cenotaph on Armistice Day “must be put into a jail cell faster than their feet can touch the ground”.

Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Suella Braverman said she doesn’t want to “undermine” the police process by banning pro-Palestinian protests planned for Armistice Day next weekend, but that behaviour on the marches had been “utterly despicable”.

Police arrested 11 people on Saturday during a fourth week of pro-Palestinian protests in central London.

Pushed on her controversial language after using the term “hate marches”, she said “everybody is entitled to freely express their views” but said there is “no excuse… when that expression crosses the line into hate speech”.

She also confirmed she had never in her life attended a demonstration herself.

Politics latest: Sunak criticises pro-Palestine protests on Armistice Day

Rishi Sunak has voiced concerns about the prospect of pro-Palestine protests on Armistice Day, with the prime minister saying such a move would be “provocative and disrespectful”.

It comes amid reports tens of thousands of demonstrators are planning to take to the streets to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on 11 November. Demonstration organisers have pledged to avoid the Whitehall area where the Cenotaph war memorial is located.

Suella Braverman in Greece
Suella Braverman with Greek border guards during a visit to the north eastern Greek border with Turkey in Alexandroupolis to view surveillance facilities and learn how Greek security forces are monitoring the land border with their Turkish neighbours.
Image:
Ms Braverman with Greek border guards during a visit to the northeastern Greek border with Turkey

The home secretary was speaking from the Greek island of Samos, where she has been learning about the government’s approach to illegal migration.

On Friday she visited a 120km long fence at the country’s land border crossing with Turkey, and on Saturday she was taken on patrol with the Hellenic Coast Guard off the coast of Samos.

Nearly a million people crossed into Greece by small boat in 2015, compared with 12,700 last year – fewer than the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel.

Read more:
Braverman faces backlash after saying rough sleeping is ‘lifestyle choice’
Johnson tells COVID inquiry he has reflected on whether lockdowns ‘did more harm than good’

Suella Braverman in Greece
Suella Braverman in Greece

The home secretary said she was “not claiming success at all by any means yet” on her pledge to stop the boats, but refused to set a target for where she would like the numbers to be by the general election.

She said it would be “pretty obvious” if the pledge had been achieved.

Ms Braverman said the UK could learn from “a policy of deterrence, tough measures, bold measures with a focus on making it clear that illegal arrivals will not be tolerated” in Greece.

However, Greece’s approach has been criticised, with EU authorities calling on an independent inquiry into so-called “pushback” tactics.

The home secretary said: “No one’s talking about doing push-backs in the English Channel”.

Commenting on the trip, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Ms Braverman had “headed overseas to distract from her shameful failures back at home”.

“The Tories have created chaos in our immigration system, with a record high asylum backlog, a 70% drop in removals and thousands of people stuck in hotels, costing the taxpayer an eyewatering £8m a day,” she said.

“Instead of trying to fix the mess the Tories have created, the home secretary boasts about her failing Rwanda scheme, which has already cost over £140m, without anyone being sent.

“Once again, Suella Braverman offers no answers, but instead seeks to stoke division and blame anyone other than her own government for the failure to deliver.”

Continue Reading

UK

Woman who died after she was attacked by a dog in Bristol named as Morgan Dorsett

Published

on

By

Woman who died after she was attacked by a dog in Bristol named as Morgan Dorsett

The 19-year-old woman who died after she was attacked by a dog at a flat in Bristol on Wednesday has been named as Morgan Dorsett from Shropshire.

Two people – a man and a woman both aged in their 20s – have been arrested over the attack and have been released on conditional bail.

Initial reports suggested the dog may be an XL bully, but confirming the breed will form part of the police assessment process, according to Avon and Somerset Police.

It was sedated and seized by officers.

Pic: PA
Image:
An XL bully. File pic: PA

Ms Dorsett’s family thanked the public for their support and those who have left flowers near the scene.

Officers were called to an incident in the Hartcliffe area of Bristol at 7.19pm on Wednesday.

Paramedics and police officers attended but Ms Dorsett died at the scene.

Morgan Dorsett, 19. Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Image:
Ms Dorsett. Pic: Avon and Somerset Police

On Thursday, Inspector Terry Murphy said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of the young woman who’s tragically died as a result of yesterday evening’s incident. They have been updated and will be supported by a family liaison officer.

“I’d also like to thank the officers and paramedics who attended yesterday evening and tried to save her life. Support is in place for them.

“A full investigation is now well under way to establish the full circumstances of the events that led to her death.”

Read more from Sky News:
Baltic states ‘very unhappy’ after UK fails to invite leaders to Ukraine summit
Bargain Hunt auctioneer cleared of coercive control and assault allegations
Minister resigns over cut to international aid budget

A general view of floral tributes left near the scene on Cobhorn Drive, Hartcliffe, Bristol, where a 19-year-old woman died after she was attacked by a dog on Wednesday night. A man and a woman, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death and possession of a prohibited breed of dog, as the dog responsible for the attack is believed to have been an XL bully. Picture date: Thursday February 27, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story POLICE Dog. Photo credit should read: Rod Minchin/PA Wire
Image:
Flowers left near the scene. Pic: PA

A neighbour also paid tribute to Ms Dorsett, saying she “seemed a lovely girl” and had only lived in the property for a few weeks.

“I was up all night awake trying to process this,” the neighbour, who did not want to be named, said.

“I am shocked. I just can’t believe it’s happened and she hasn’t been there that long.”

The neighbour said she had seen the dog on a lead with its owner and was certain it was an XL bully.

“I do feel so sad for the dog owner,” she said.

“She did mention the dog wasn’t great with men, fine with women and children.

“I feel for her so, so much. It wasn’t her fault.”

She added: “I genuinely feel that this was one of those freak accidents and wasn’t her fault – that’s how I feel.”

In February 2024 it became a criminal offence to own the XL bully breed in England and Wales without an exemption certificate.

Anyone owning one of the dogs must have had the animal neutered, microchipped, and kept muzzled and on a lead in public, among other restrictions.

The government move to ban the breed followed a series of attacks on people and other dogs.

Continue Reading

UK

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson cleared of coercive control and assault allegations related to his wife

Published

on

By

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson cleared of coercive control and assault allegations related to his wife

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson has been cleared of coercive control and assault allegations relating to his wife.

The 46-year-old was accused of being violent towards Rebecca Hanson over an eight-year period.

The charges were brought after he was arrested in June 2023.

The TV auctioneer, from Mackworth, Derby, denied controlling or coercive behaviour spanning from 2015 to 2023, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault by beating. The two assault charges related to incidents in 2015 and 2023.

During the trial, Hanson claimed his wife had controlled him. He told the court he was “almost a slave” to her, saying she left him “a beaten and broken man” by controlling him and making him subservient towards her.

She had claimed her husband was violent towards her and put her in a headlock in 2012, while she pregnant with a baby she later lost.

Mrs Hanson also alleged her husband repeatedly “grabbed” her, scratched her as she tried to snatch a mobile phone and pushed her twice during a row.

More from UK

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson outside Derby Crown Court, Picture date: Friday February 28, 2025. Pic: PA
Image:
Hanson outside the court with his parents today. Pic: PA

The auctioneer told the court his wife was allowed “to do what she wanted” but had experienced “moments and episodes” including one which saw her claim his legs being crossed amounted to abuse.

Jurors deliberated for around four and a half hours before delivering not guilty verdicts on all charges.

As the verdicts were returned, Hanson smiled at his parents, who were sat in the front row of the public gallery at Derby Crown Court, and gave them a thumbs-up.

After thanking the jurors for their care in considering the case, Judge Martin Hurst told Hanson: “You have been found not guilty. That is the end of the case. You will hear no more about it and you are free to go.”

The TV star’s parents wept and hugged their son after he was discharged from the dock.

Hanson ‘relieved this is all over’

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson speaks to media outside Derby Crown Court, Picture date: Friday February 28, 2025. Jacob King/PA Wire
Image:
Hanson speaks to media after the verdict. Pic: PA

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Hanson said: “I’m delighted that after a year and a half the truth has finally come out.

“I can finally live my life again. I feel this burden has finally been lifted.”

Read more from Sky News:
Woman who died after dog attack named

Arrests over AI-generated child abuse images

“It has been a tormentuous time and all I want now is to readjust to what has been such an ordeal,” he continued. “I am so relieved that this is all over.”

As well as regularly featuring on Bargain Hunt, Hanson has appeared on Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip.

Continue Reading

UK

‘Monster’ who fatally beat chef near Notting Hill Carnival jailed for life

Published

on

By

'Monster' who fatally beat chef near Notting Hill Carnival jailed for life

A self-described “monster” who beat a top chef to death near Notting Hill Carnival has been jailed for life.

Omar Wilson repeatedly punched and kicked Mussie Imnetu during an altercation outside a restaurant in Queensway, west London, on 26 August last year.

Wilson, 31, then left the scene to go clubbing.

Mr Imnetu, 41, who worked under star chefs Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, died in hospital four days later, without regaining consciousness.

Mussie Imnetu. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Mussie Imnetu. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Sentencing Wilson to a minimum 18 years, Judge Philip Katz said Mr Imnetu’s “brutal” killing was “abhorrent”.

“Mussie and those who loved him are the victims in this case and the impact on them of his murder has been severe,” he said.

“Mussie was defenceless on the ground when you punched and kicked him to death.”

He continued: “You could not control your temper. Only a few seconds after punches were aimed by both of you you tripped Mussie and he fell to the ground and you could have walked away.

“As he knelt you rained further punches down on his head. You could have walked away.

“However, you stood up, raised your leg and kicked him hard to the head. Kicking someone to the head when they are defenceless on the ground is abhorrent.”

CCTV footage of Omar Wilson at a security point after the assault. Pic: Metropolitan Police
Image:
CCTV footage of Omar Wilson at a security point after the assault. Pic: Metropolitan Police

Mr Imnetu’s wife, Linda, described her husband as “respected, admired and loved” in a pre-recorded victim impact statement played in court.

“Mussie didn’t just leave behind a legacy for his family, he left an indelible mark on his workplace and community,” she said.

“Nothing can undo what has been taken from us. I ask the court to remember the man Mussie was: his character, his integrity and the life he built; not just the circumstances of his passing.”

An audio recording of Mr Imnetu’s six-year-old son wishing his “daddy” goodbye was also played in court, which the judge called “heart-rending”.

Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Tap here

CCTV footage was played in court during the trial showing Wilson approaching Mr Imnetu and headbutting him.

Around a minute later, Wilson punched Mr Imnetu five times in the head, continued to repeatedly punch him while he was on his hands and knees, and then kicked him in the head.

Read more from Sky News:
Labour minister resigns over decision to cut foreign aid
Volcano owners’ conviction over deadly eruption overturned

Wilson of Napier Road, east London, told the Old Bailey he was acting in self defence, telling jurors: “I just regret that somebody’s life was taken while I was trying to defend mine.”

He claimed Mr Imnetu had a broken bottle – something Judge Katz described as “a deliberate lie”.

The court heard after the attack that Wilson had told an associate he “crossed the line”.

In a message, he said: “There’s a monster in me, man, and it’s just like sometimes it comes out.

“And I think I’ve messed up now, I’ve messed up, everything’s finished.”

Continue Reading

Trending